In the Netherlands, the employee led solidarity engagement of TotalEnergies is reflected in concrete actions in support of young people. By taking part in the “Boss of Tomorrow” initiative, Robert Joore, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Nederland N.V., stepped aside for a day to Jelani, a 15-year-old high-school student, to give her a first hand insight into the world of business.
Robert Joore, Managing Director of TotalEnergies Marketing Nederland N.V. and Country Chair, understands this well: there is no better way to encourage young people to give the best of themselves than to let them experience leadership responsibilities for a day.
That is why, as part of the Action! employee solidarity engagement programme, he handed over his role for a day to Jelani, a 15‑year‑old high‑school student and beneficiary of the ‘Boss of Tomorrow’ initiative offered by the association JINC to hundreds of primary and secondary school pupils in the Netherlands.
The day of the “boss for a day” was punctuated by numerous exchanges with employees of the affiliate, as well as several highlights: a journey in a hydrogen‑powered vehicle, a behind‑the‑scenes visit to Schiphol Airport’s refuelling services, the symbolic signing of an employment contract, and the sharing of her feedback on a sponsorship offer and on an application designed for managers.
A meaningful and hands‑on “day in the life of…” experience that enabled the young participant to discover the world of business and to project herself into a professional path involving responsibility. From this experience, Jelani took away an essential lesson: “As a boss, you don’t make decisions alone. You make them together, as a team.”
The JINC association helps Dutch children aged 8 to 16 who grow up in environments marked by high unemployment and who lack inspiring role models to get off to a good start in the job market, through discovering professions, identifying their talents and learning the codes of the professional world. Through the “Boss of Tomorrow” programme, it offers as many young people as possible an equal opportunity to thrive by giving them the chance, for one day, to step into the role of business leaders, public officials or elected representatives. This is an initiative in which TotalEnergies Marketing Nederland N.V. has been actively involved as part of Action!, its employee solidarity engagement programme.